Rephonic
Artwork for Something Rather Than Nothing

Something Rather Than Nothing

Ken Volante | Creative Organizing
Art
Gothic Literature
Swinewomb
Cryptic Divination
Art Bar Magazine
Doom Metal Yoga
Buddhism
Midwestern Gothic
A Child Of Light
Indigenous Fashion
On the Phone
Madison, United States
Prioritize Play
Rockford Files
Music
The Color Green
Creativity
Philosophy
Play
Connoly Play Production Journey

Why is there something rather than nothing?

This podcast is a philosophical and psychological exploration into the act of creation. Follow the paths to personal liberation, creativity, music, painting, deep thinking and the art of the intelligent conversation.

ONE LOVE!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes329Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Something Rather Than Nothing

Latest Episodes

Di Slaney lives with her husband in a Grade II Listed, 400 year old farmhouse in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire with more animals than is sensible. She runs Manor Farm Charitable Trust which offers a home for life for livestock, particularly elderly ani... more

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Steven Seidenberg is an artist, poet, and philosopher whose collections of photographs include The Architecture of Silence (Contrasto, 2023), Pipevalve: Berlin (Lodima Press, 2017), and the forthcoming Kanazawa Vacancy (Chin Music, Fall 2026). He ha... more

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Kazu Haga I have lived in Buddhist monasteries. I have spent the last twenty-five years in social justice movements. I have sat in hundreds of circles with incarcerated people witnessing them do the hard work of healing and accountability. And I have... more

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Podcast Host Ken Volante here. I am pleased to present J Webster Sharp, who is my favorite, illustrator, like, ever.

Jemma has created The Scrapbook of Life and Death, Fondant, and an upcoming work on the super famous early 20th century actor Fatty ... more

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Recent Guests

Steven Seidenberg
Philosopher, photographer, writer
Independent researcher/artist
Episode: Steven Seidenberg and The Architecture of Silence
Kazu Haga
Author of Healing Resistance and Fierce Vulnerability; Buddhist activist
Episode: Kazu Haga and Fierce Vulnerability
J Webster Sharp
Illustrator from New York; author of Fondant and Scrapbook of Life and Death
Independent artist
Episode: J Webster Sharp
Vanessa Stockard
Guest co-host, mother and science/arts interlocutor
Episode: Vanessa and Isobel Stockard tackle The Universe
Isobel Stockard
Guest, daughter of Vanessa, young learner and contributor to discussions on science and art
Episode: Vanessa and Isobel Stockard tackle The Universe
Reese Villella
Creator and primary talent behind Swinewomb
Swinewomb production
Episode: swinewomb
Julia Ordway
Cast member involved in Swinewomb production
Swinewomb production
Episode: swinewomb
Carter Williams
Cast member involved in Swinewomb production
Swinewomb production
Episode: swinewomb
Victor V. Gurbo
Musician and visual artist based in New York City
Independent artist
Episode: Victor V Gurbo

Host

Ken Volante
Host and creator of the show

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • Cool Art Variety Show!

    I like Kens way of thinking and coming up with interesting ways to interview and story tell with all different kinds of people. When he interviews his guests, he finds ways to bring out information you wouldn’t expect and demonstrate who these artists really are.

    Cool guy, cool show! Check it out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rice Hole
    United States3 years ago
  • A must-listen

    Ken hosts the show with wit, humor, and kindness. He is clearly so passionate about the arts, his guests, and the community he builds with listeners and contributors alike. He is well spoken, engaging, and brings a variety of voices to the forefront. He asks insightful questions, and leads with curiosity. This is by far one of my favorite shows, and really is a must listen if you like art, conversation, and/or really cool people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Em Gaddis
    United States3 years ago
  • Exemplar ART/Philosophy/Healing/Activism/Thinking podcast

    …by creative host, Ken Volante. SRTN dives deep with each conversation- K.V. brings thought-provoking questions to a variety of creators and thinkers from all over the planet, and in turn allows for both a safe space and a platform by which guests can follow the path they choose for the episode to take. SRTN clearly has a plethora of interests and curiosities which lead to a delicious variety of voices being heard—- from poets to burlesque dancers, painters to metal bands, opera singers to bodyw... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jennyjo8675309
    United States4 years ago
  • A podcast that makes you reflect!

    Such a great podcast! Ken does a great job probing his guests with well thought out questions. I love the variety of interviewees he’s had from all sorts of backgrounds. So much talent and creativity! It’s great to listen to on a rainy day when you’re beaten down with the mundane of every day life! I especially like that Ken subtly changes his approach depending on who he is interviewing in order to make them feel at ease and get the most out of them. Would highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Effiemcd1981
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Great interviewer, Great guests!

    Ken does such a great job with thoughtful questions and follow up conversation. He curates his guests to have a nice variety of creatives who practice different disciplines and come at them from different angles. This is a thoughtful, informative, entertaining podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    missyObean
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The broad guest mix is seen as a strength, with thoughtful exploration across disciplines.
Listeners praise the host's curiosity and interview craft, highlighting insightful questions.
Some listeners appreciate the variety but crave deeper dives into specific topics.
Audiences value the show's emphasis on art as community healing and social engagement.
Commendations frequently mention compelling storytelling and high production quality.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steven Seidenberg and The Architecture of Silence
Q: Steven, why is there something rather than nothing?
There isn't a simple answer; it's a category mix-up in the traditional Leibnizian frame. Being and nothing are mutually dependent, and the meaningful question is about becoming—the dialectic that generates the ongoing process of existence.
Kazu Haga and Fierce Vulnerability
Q: Kazu, why is there Something Rather Than Nothing?
It's rooted in the Buddhist view of interdependence and no-self; every moment exists because of countless causes and conditions, including the labor, experiences, and histories that came before, which together generate the present.
Vanessa and Isobel Stockard tackle The Universe
Q: Schrödinger's cat is often cited to explain superposition. Can you explain how a cat can be alive and dead in the same scenario and what that means for our understanding of reality?
In the thought experiment, the cat's fate is tied to a quantum event until observed; this illustrates superposition on a macroscopic metaphor, hinting at multiple possible states existing until measurement collapses one outcome, and it inspires discussions about multiverses and how observation affects reality.
'On the Phone' Film Premiere with Kenny Sale and Matthew Kyle Levine
Q: What is Raindance Festival, and what is the film's status there?
Raindance is an international film festival in London; the world premiere of On the Phone is slated for Raindance, marking a major milestone and potential for broader distribution and funding discussions.
Jadon Allen and Guilt!
Q: What have you learned or experienced in the amount of time about doing the business and networking as an artist?
The guest explains that they've learned a lot about themselves, prioritizing attainable goals, and the importance of getting out to events, networking, and continually presenting work to grow opportunities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Something Rather Than Nothing

What is Something Rather Than Nothing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, arts-centered program that foregrounds creativity, philosophy, and the human aspects of making. Episodes span music, visual art, theatre, poetry, and wellness, often exploring how collaboration, technology, and storytelling shape meaning and personal growth. Notable patterns include deep dives into artistic process, the social impact of art, and the healing or transformative potential of creative practice. The show tends to welcome diverse guests—from musicians and painters to writers and activists—always guided by curiosity, empathy, and a belief in art as a catalyst for reflection and connection.

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Which podcasts are similar to Something Rather Than Nothing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Something Rather Than Nothing:

1. Handsome

How many episodes of Something Rather Than Nothing are there?

Something Rather Than Nothing launched 7 years ago and published 329 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Something Rather Than Nothing?

Recent guests on Something Rather Than Nothing include:

1. Steven Seidenberg
2. Kazu Haga
3. J Webster Sharp
4. Vanessa Stockard
5. Isobel Stockard
6. Reese Villella
7. Julia Ordway
8. Carter Williams

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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